President Sirleaf Commends St. Teresa Catholic High School for Providing Quality Education; Receives Maj. Gen. Mu Yuchang of China, New French Amb. Letters of Credence

Thursday, 30th November 2017

Group photo with Pricipal and staff of St. Teresa Catholic High School
Photo Credit: James M. Garresen II

Monrovia, Liberia - President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has commended students of the St. Teresa Catholic High School and recounted the tremendous contributions of Liberia’s late President, Edwin Barclay some 80 years. She said she glad to be part of the St. Teresa Convent family adding - 80 years after one of our great Presidents, Edwin Barclay had being here to open and contribute to this school.

According to an Executive Mansion release, President Sirleaf made the statement on Thursday, November 30, 2017 on the campus of St. Teresa Convent Catholic High School where she had gone to visit and motivate students during the commemoration the school's 80th anniversary.

Addressing the students, President Sirleaf said St. Teresa Convent is a landmark institution in the history of Liberia while stressing that back in those days - there were three schools including her alma mater – the College of West Africa, St. Teresa Catholic High School and St. Patrick Catholic High School were noted for quality education.

President Sirleaf paid tribute to former Minister of Finance, Antoinette Sayeh, Monrovia City Mayor, Clara Doe-Mvogo, Ms. Ethel Holt Toles; deputy Chief of Protocol – Executive Mansion, Ambassador Ethel Davis, Bloh Sayeh, director of the National Archives, among others who graduated from St. Teresa Catholic High School and are serving top positions in both the private and public sectors.

She also used the occasion to salute the teachers and Parent-Teacher Association and stressed the importance of the PTA for quality education and urged the need for attention must be given it. The Liberian leader lauded 12th graders for always coming ahead in the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and acknowledged the essence of quality education being imparted by the teachers.

She furthered that while there are still problems in the educational sector, she similarly spoke of bad roads and unqualified teachers, which according to her disallow some children from getting quality education. She encouraged the students to be whatever they can be once they believe in themselves and work towards their dreams and aspirations.

Also speaking, the Principal of St. Teresa Convent Catholic High School Sis. Evelina Degulglielmo welcomed and expressed deep gratitude to President Sirleaf for the visit. She said since the establishment of the school in 1937 during which time former President Barclay opened the school, she was glad to see the first democratically female elected President of Africa visit the school after 80 years.

She commended President Sirleaf for her outstanding leadership skills exhibited over the years and her government’s support to education. She particularly thanked President Sirleaf for the peace Liberia now enjoys.

In another presidential, news, President Sirleaf yesterday received in audience Major General Mu Yuchang, Chief Commander Border Security Department of Public Security of the People's Republic of China at her Foreign Ministry office in Monrovia. Major Gen. Yuchang and delegation are on an assessment mission to Liberia to visit instillations and engage related stakeholders.

In remarks, President Sirleaf welcomed Maj. Gen. Mu Yuchang for the visit and lauded China for her continued support to Liberia's development agenda particularly in the areas of health, security, infrastructure development, education, the training and equipping of the army forces of Liberia, among others.

The Liberian leader praised the Chinese government for also providing certain amount of medication that will be used at various military barracks, which she said we are grateful for.

Meanwhile, President Sirleaf also received in audience the Letters of Credence of the new French Ambassador-designate to the Republic of Liberia, His Excellency, Terence Wills.

Speaking earlier, Ambassador Wills thanked President Sirleaf for accepting his Letters of credence and said he was proud of all President Sirleaf achievements inclusive of an emerging democracy. He named three critical areas he will be focusing on including strengthening the partnership between the two countries; improving French investments and the teaching of French Language in Liberian schools.

He used the occasion to inform President Sirleaf for creating the atmosphere for allowing French businesses including Total, and Orange Communication Company to operate in Liberia.

Responding, President Sirleaf extolled the long standing partnership and relationship that have existed between both countries and France’s contribution to Liberia. She made particular reference to debt waver, peacekeeping as well as trade.

She thanked Ambassador Wills for his preferment and said she looks forward to a much stronger partnership between both countries.